Rare ‘Cannibal CME’ travelling at 2.1 million km/h hits Earth: How the powerful solar system could disrupt life

Representational Image (Source: X)

A powerful solar storm is currently striking the Earth at a speed of 2.1 million kilometres per hour. Scientists are calling it a “Cannibal CME,” a rare kind of solar eruption that can affect satellites, power grids and communication systems worldwide.

The storm traces back to August 30, when the Sun released a long-duration M2.7-class flare from an active sunspot. Soon after, several Coronal Mass Ejections, or CMEs, were launched in quick succession. One of the faster CMEs caught up with a slower one ahead of it, merging into a single, massive burst of energy. Scientists call this a Cannibal CME because one eruption “swallows” another.

This plasma cloud struck Earth’s magnetic field late on September 1. Although experts at NOAA and NASA had predicted an impact, the actual force was stronger than expected.

Immediate impact on Earth

When the CME hit, it compressed Earth’s protective magnetic shield. Solar wind speeds increased, triggering geomagnetic storms that scientists rated from G1 (minor) to G3 (strong).

One of the most visible effects has been the auroras. Usually seen in polar regions, the lights are now appearing much farther south. Reports say auroras could be seen across 18 US states, from Alaska and Montana to New York and Illinois.

Why Cannibal CMEs are dangerous

Cannibal CMEs are considered especially risky because they carry more concentrated energy than a typical eruption. The merged plasma cloud is highly magnetised and can:

• Disrupt electricity networks, especially in high-latitude areas
• Push satellites off their normal orbits by creating more drag in Earth’s atmosphere
• Interfere with GPS and radio signals
• Cause long-lasting geomagnetic disturbances that are harder to recover from

This event fits into a bigger pattern. The Sun is moving toward the peak of Solar Cycle 25, a natural 11-year rhythm of solar activity. During this phase, the number and strength of solar flares and CMEs increase. Scientists expect more storms like this in the coming years, raising the risk of disruption to technology that depends on satellites.

Staying prepared

Agencies around the world are watching this storm closely. Satellite operators, airlines and power grid managers are already taking steps to reduce damage and adjust systems. For the general public, the most visible effect will be the chance to see beautiful auroras in places where they rarely appear.

For scientists, however, this storm is a reminder that as our reliance on technology grows, so does our vulnerability to the power of the Sun.